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Biosecurity Update

12 June 2017

DEFRA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) have prepared this useful summary that highlights the importance of good biosecurity, steps you can take, and where you can find further information on this issue.

May 2017-Biosecurity Script for stakeholders

We have developed this biosecurity script in response to requests from stakeholders, and to highlight the importance of good biosecurity, steps people can take, and where you can find further information on this issue.

Our ask of you:

We would like you, as individuals and organisations, to use this information to help improve biosecurity and reduce the risk of disease and pests spreading.

We encourage you to share, and disseminate this information as widely as possible, within your organisation, your members, and visitors.

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility and usefulness of the information available on biosecurity.

We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you on biosecurity messaging in the future.

Our plants and trees are vital national assets, providing economic, environmental and social benefits.

An estimated £6bn value to UK society each year comes from maintaining healthy crops and forestry. This comprises £3.3bn of commercial crop value, around £1.8bn of social/environmental value of forestry and £0.9bn direct commercial value of forestry and sawmilling. The true value is likely to be considerably higher than £6bn, as many social and environmental benefits cannot readily be monetised.

Furthermore, food and drink exports are worth around £20.1bn (2013) to the UK economy. These exports rely on our excellent plant and animal health status.

In addition to the importance of protecting our native biodiversity for its own sake, a healthy, vibrant environment supports an outdoor recreation industry estimated to be worth £20.4 billion.

Threats to plant health have increased with globalisation in trade and travel and an increased volume and diversity of plant products entering the UK.

We all have a role to play in protecting our nation from plant pests and diseases. All sectors have a common interest in ensuring that the UK maintains a high standard of plant health and biosecurity. It is vital that we work together to achieve our collective goal of enhancing biosecurity.

There are some excellent resources and guidance available for various audiences and different sector.

Everyone can help improve biosecurity by taking part in citizen science tree and plant health activities. TreeAlert, an online tree pest and disease reporting tool developed by the Forestry Commission, is a great example of this.

If in doubt, report it through TreeAlert - https://www.forestry.gov.uk/treealert. As professionals, you know when things are right and when they are not. A quick response can dramatically reduce the impact of control measures when they’re needed.

Thereare a number of publicity materials available that we would be happy to share with your organisations, including Z-Cards for the Arboriculture, Forestry and Landscaper sectors, available online via the FC (link above), AA and LI.